Mohamed Salah critics need to have a rethink, as Liverpool evidence shows unfair assessment
Waking up with Liverpool.com
Mark WakefieldStaff Writer
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Let's just get this right from the start. Mohamed Salah is not a diver, and suggestions that he has been for Liverpool are unfair. There a big difference between diving and earning a penalty for your team.
There have been suggestions that Salah went down far too easily, to put things mildly, following a challenge from Arthur Masuaku. To those who say such things, just look at the replay. You can clearly see the Egyptian getting kicked by the West Ham defender, which in any way you look at things is a clear penalty.
The issue that people seem to have is the manner in which he has gone to ground. If that is the true issue, then the worst Salah can be guilty of is exaggerating the contact. Even if this is the case, it's still not a dive. What doesn't help matters is that around 24 hours later Harry Kane was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area, and received contrasting assessments.
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Given the kind of challenges that Salah has been on the receiving end of in the past, you can't exactly blame him for making the most of things when he's fouled in the box. Take the recent trip to Villa Park as an example, he was bundled over by John McGinn and was a penalty awarded? No. And there is a vast catalogue of similarly blatant incidents where defenders have got away with all kinds against him in the box.
What makes things worse is that this isn't the only criticism that has been fired Salah's way since he arrived on Merseyside just over three years ago. Some have referred to him as a "selfish" player, which you only have to look at his chances created and assist numbers to show that is total nonsense.
In his 163 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, Salah has scored 102 goals and contributed 41 assists in all competitions. Those numbers show he's a goalscorer and goal provider. Yet, if you look further in depth you'll see that he has created 546 chances during his time with the club which works out at an average of more than four per game. Whatever way you look at it, those are impressive numbers.
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Salah appears to be one of those players that draws criticism no matter what he does. Whether this is because he has reached the highest heights of the game while at Liverpool, winning the most prestigious trophies that are there to be won, or it could just be that some are simply jealous of his talent and ability.
The Anfield history books will forever be home to Salah's talent and no one can ever take away what he has already done for Liverpool. He shows no signs of stopping, and the recent criticism that has been sent his way will only work as fuel to drive him on to further success.
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What I'm reading on Liverpool.com
Joel has put together a good piece on Xherdan Shaqiri, and how he could be a vital member of the squad in the weeks and months to come.
There is also a nice read here on Curtis Jones, and why he is yet to really show all of us what he's capable in a Liverpool shirt.
What I'm watching
Well, given the circumstances I've rewatched Liverpool's video showing Salah's first 100 goals for the club. Sit back and enjoy!
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